From the width of the background (black fabric) cut a strip - or multiple strips - 2 ¾inches (2.75 inches) wide. With the 60 degree triangle ruler, and alternating with a standard straight ruler, cross-cut the strip as pictured at regular intervals. Precision is not so important, although keep the angle correct. I used 2 yards of Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Pepper for my Butterfly Quilt, more than I had first anticipated.

Let's get started:

Place the 60 degree Triangle Ruler so the bottom left and bottom right hand corners of the Butterfly Wing fabric are exactly on the outer edge of the triangle ruler (as pictured above). I have placed some tape on the down-side of my ruler to assist with quick placement; the top edge of the tape abuts the bottom edge of the fabric.

Trim with rotary cutter.

Using a ¼ inch seam allowance sew the background fabric to the Butterfly Wings

Press seams:

Trim these units as follows:

Place a standard ruler along the outer edge of the Butterfly Wing as pictured. (Please bear with me here as I am left-handed, and use a left handed ruler - the numbers on your ruler probably run from right to left). This unit needs to be trimmed to just 4 ½ inches wide; accurate piecing will result in 1/8th inch of background (black fabric) on BOTH SIDES of the outer edge of the Butterfly Wing unit):

Trim the side and top edge with rotary cutter:

Turn the Butterly Wing unit around and align the outer right edge (or the left if you are using a right handed ruler) of the unit at the 4 ½ inch mark of the ruler, and the bottom edge of the Butterfly Wing unit at the 2 1/8 inch line of the ruler (as pictured below):

Once you've pieced a few Butterfly Wings you will begin notice the consistent stop and start points of the background fabric: see the top edge of the ruler at 1 3/8 inches and 3 1/8 inches, as indicated by the red arrows (above).

Using a scant¼inch seam allowance sew the body of the Butterfly (the text fabric) first to one wing. Trim excess body fabric. Then sew the body to the opposite wing. Press seams together towards the body, away from the wings.

The butterfly Block measures 4 ½ inches x 4 ½ inches. If you find that your block is on the small side, be sure to cut a little more generous (particularly the Butterfly Wings - cut a slightly generous 2 1/8 inch wide).

Repeat times 180!

Any questions? Please leave your questions in the comments section and I will reply there as others may also benefit from further clarification.

Brilliant tutorial - I had been considering doing this block as a hand sewing holiday project with my lovely new stack of New Kona solids colours - but have decided to try a more improv style sewing project instead, where accurate seams aren't such a big issue - this however will be stored for a future project - thanks

thank you so much for this Rita - I was sure this block would have y-seams in it somewhere, so was very daunted. Am still very daunted, b/c of the need for very accurate cutting! But I am going to try, as I just love this block. Your quilt is gorgeous, I wish I had been quick enough to buy it! thanks again, Cat

What I found fun about your tutorial was to find that we have one more thing in common. I like to cut a bit big and trim down too. I find it's faster to not worry about accuracy ALL the time. I'm also left-handed, like high contrast quilts with lots of different fabrics and, had I called my blog Rita Penner Quilts, we would also have the same acronym. Kind of amazing, no?

My first time on your blog was last week and I've been dreaming about this quilt ever since. Thanks so much for the inspiration and taking the time to write the tutorial. I am leaving for a quilt retreat today and I suspect we will all be making butterflies by the end of the week!Gigi

Wonderful tutorial! Thank you so much. I've eyed that pattern before and now you've done all the work for us to be able to do it too. Much appreciation for your skills and your willingness to share. Your finished quilt is gorgeous.

Love the tutorial, Rita, but I think I'd have to increase the finished size of the block. I mean, how many did it take, a million-zillion? Nope, that's just too many. The quilt is stunning, though, and I love the measuring tape body on the butterfly!Mary